Top executives at Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, President Akihiro Kobayashi and Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi, resigned on Tuesday after a health supplement they sold was linked to 80 deaths. The scandal surrounded over-the-counter cholesterol-lowering tablets made with red yeast rice. Despite being a common ingredient, the supplement led to kidney ailments due to toxic acid production by mold cultures.
Slow Response Criticized
An external audit funded by the company revealed that leadership showed a lack of urgency in addressing consumer safety risks. Consumers first reported issues in March, prompting a government investigation. The delayed reporting by Kobayashi was condemned as “extremely regrettable” by the government.
The company’s actions were criticized in the report, stating it failed to respond promptly to the serious cases reported by doctors. Kobayashi, a well-known brand in Japan, faced backlash for its inadequate response to the health crisis.
The company should have recalled the products immediately and reported the incident, but only did so after an internal investigation process, as per the audit by lawyers.
es/rm (AFP, Reuters)
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